Even the Germans are picking Audi over BMW - German publication Auto Motor Und Sport compares the F30 335xi to the B8 S4 and picks the S4

Even the Germans are picking Audi over BMW - German publication Auto Motor Und Sport compares the F30 335xi to the B8 S4 and picks the S4

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Even the Germans are picking Audi over BMW - German publication Auto Motor Und Sport compares the F30 335xi to the B8 S4 and picks the S4

Another BMW versus Audi comparison, and another BMW loss. German publication Auto Motor Und Sport decided to compare the B8 S4 to the brand new F30 335xi. The B8 S4 has been on the market longer yet it beats it's recently redesigned rival. Acceleration figures favor the Audi with 0-60 in 4.9 seconds versus 5.2 seconds for the BMW. The difference grows to one full second by 100 miles per hour, a fairly large gap in acceleration.

Part of that difference can be attributed to the seven speed dual clutch gearbox in the Audi versus an 8-speed automatic in the BMW. The Audi is fairly heavier though with a weight of 3953 pounds to the BMW's 3719 pounds. Finally a new BMW that is actually lighter than the comparable Audi although the new B9 is coming which promises to be much lighter. Unfortunately handling performance was not measured.

Regardless, Auto Motor Und Sport does state in their impressions the handling of the Audi was better and more responsive. Ultimately it was a close battle with the S4 coming out on top due to the handling, engine, and transmission. Chalk up another BMW loss.

BMW dropped the ball big time by allowing so much time to pass between 335i's launch and the inevitable M335i. By All these comparison test losses are not good for BMW's image as the "ultimate driving machine." Audi's current S cars are exceptional cars and as a current E92 and F30 owner I agree with the article that the S4 has sharper reflexes, more grip (even when AWD isn't a factor) and arguably a more sporty motor so I think BMW should hurry the $#@! up and release an M335i with firmer suspension bushings and springs, wider and stickier tires, tuned motor and a sexy exhaust especially since it seems like the F80 M3 is like a decade away from reaching the market.

The Audi S cars seem to be raising the bar. And this is the B8 S4 that was already beating the E9X and the F30 can't top it?

That's my point, it doesn't seem like the 335i was ever meant to compete with the S4's handling I think that's obvious when you look at how softly sprung it is, the tires it comes with, etc. I think BMW planned to have the M335i match up with the S4, they haven't announced such a model or anything but I think it seems obvious since the M135i has been making such a big splash (and has been mopping the floor with its competition, Chris Harris even said it was much more fun than the RS3!) and we know the M235i is coming. It only seems logical to me that all future BMW models will have an M Performance variant to compete with Audi's S cars and, by extension, that BMW's standard series cars will not be as fun or sporty as an Audi S car.